Hello, I’m Judie Bellingham and I live in Brisbane, Australia. I have been quilting since the year I married – 1976! My husband and I, like most newly weds, had taken a rather large mortgage and didn’t have a lot of money left over for clothes, outings etc. So darling husband (DH) decided to buy me a sewing machine so I could learn how to sew clothes. (His father was a tailor, so this seemed an obvious thing to do!!)

I went to sewing classes and learned how to make wrap-around cotton skirts and Knitwit T-Shirts. I hated making clothes with a passion. BUT what I loved was the scraps that were left over! These scraps were like gold. This was one of a few “light bulb moments” in my life and I was hooked on QUILTING!!.

Over the past 37 years I have made a multitude of quilts, in many different genres. I’ve been teaching a variety of classes since 1997 and have taught both locally in Queensland and as a visiting tutor to Victoria and New South Wales and on Norfolk Island in the Pacific Ocean.

I joined the Queensland Quilters Inc, (2Q) the state Quilting Guild of Queensland, and served as a committee member for 3 years and in June 2009, I stood down as Vice President after serving two years. I am also a past Editor of the “Material Facts”, a quarterly magazine published by Queensland Quilters (2Q). This magazine covers a multitude of subjects to do with quilting in our neck of the woods and the world over. I also wrote the History of Queensland Quilters Guild to celebrate their 25th Anniversary.

I am currently the President of Sunshine Linus Inc. a non-profit group of ordinary quilters who make handmade quilts and comforts for people in need on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland, Australia. This work enables quilters who have finished making quilts for their families and friends, to continue to create for those less fortunate - and enjoy the company of like minded women.

I’m really looking forward to corresponding with you and getting to know you. My main focus with quilting is to always make it fun and keep a sense of humor.

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